Over three years ago, Ahmed Kasmi and his family fled Algeria, which was on the brink of civil war. Now living in Montreal, the Kasmis are only a few weeks away from obtaining the object of their desire: Canadian citizenship. Trying on a new suit and practicing the words to the Canadian anthem, "O Canada," Ahmed carefully prepares for the ceremony that will make him a citizen of the land of his dreams. But his eldest son, Hafid, aged 19, complicates matters by getting involved in an activist group. Ahmed's world of certainty and hope crumbles. In an attempt to save his son and salvage their chances of getting Canadian papers, he sets out looking for Hafid in Montreal’s maze of snowy streets. This desperate step forces him into closer contact with his host country and pushes him to discover the true nature of his son and his friends from the small CRISCO activist group. Through this group, Ahmed meets Huguette, who is head-over-heels in love with Hafid, and the two of them join forces in a crazy venture that takes them to the northern part of the country. Together, they find Hafid on the runway of an airport where illegal immigrants are deported to their country of origin.

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Canadian Film Online is an interactive website devoted to the history of full-length feature filmmaking in Canada. This project was built by Athabasca University and is funded in part by the Canada Interactive Fund Program of Canadian Heritage.

Canadian Film Online is an interactive website devoted to the history of full-length feature filmmaking in Canada. This project was built by Athabasca University and is funded in part by the Canada Interactive Fund Program of Canadian Heritage.